Sean and Curtis would kindly ask for a donation given directly to them to begin the journey of parenthood. Donate by visiting the following link: https://gofund.me/a8aa5170
Research shows that wearing a mask while on planes and in airports significantly reduces your chances of contracting COVID 19. In Mexico, specifically the area of Cabo San Lucas, hotels, resorts, restaurants, gift shops and all other businesses require temperatures be taken, hand sanitizer used and shoes disinfected before entering the front doors. Drivers wear masks and require riders to do the same. Finally, the hotel will schedule you for a complimentary COVID SARS test within 24 hours of your departure back home. Otherwise, rules, laws and regulations are exactly how you’re used to seeing them at home. (Written 05/01/2021)
While Sean and Curtis highly encourage vaccination against COVID-19, it is not required by them to attend, nor is it, at this time, required to travel to and from The Cape or Mexico and the United States.
Some areas are, just like some areas of the U.S. are as well. In Cabo, tourism is the backbone of their existence and the locals will do most anything to retain their impeccable reputation as being hospitable, honest, hard-working and trust worthy people. As such, a traveler won’t notice much difference between our lives in the states and that of vacationing in Cabo. Uber is still a safe and efficient way to get around if you want to go and explore (Sean and I do it all the time). However, just like in the states, try not to wander off alone anywhere, and always double check that your ride is the one you called.
Tip for services just like you do in the states, usually 10-20% depending on the service. The difference in Mexico is that cash is king! The Mexican government usually takes most—if not all—electronic tips given to workers. This even includes Uber drivers!! The best thing you can do to ensure your tip goes to the intended worker is to hand over those pesos or dollars in cash.
The answer here is simple: use a protected ATM. “Protected” just means it’s watched by staff or isn’t otherwise on a street corner somewhere. We usually use the ATM’s in the airport on arrival or at the hotel. If you bank with a company like BECU, your ATM fees are refunded to you up to a certain amount. Plus, the exchange rates are the best through an ATM. Don’t feel like you need cash to pay for everything, though. We usually only use cash for tips. Instead, bring that Credit Card along. Rest assured, it has about the same likelihood of being scammed in Cabo as it does in the States, so just be smart about your swipes.
For this particular round trip, I’d schedule a ride ahead of time using a car or shuttle service. This will allow you to quickly and easily find your ride at the pickup pavilions and ease stress and fear.
You will be bombarded by a LOT of taxi drivers, ride organizers, time share salesmen, and more as you wind your way between the last stop in customs and the exit door to your ride to the hotel. JUST KEEP WALKING! Do not look at anybody, do not be tempted by that free shot of tequila, don’t even speak to anyone (except maybe to say “No, Gracias”), and don’t even ask anybody for directions. Just get outside and ask the door keepers where to find your pickup car. You’ll likely have instructions already by text or email from the car company directly.
You’ve not being kidnapped ... *wink* ... it really does take between 35-50 minutes sometimes. Many shuttle companies offer free beverages during the ride. It’s not a trick. Drink it up, you’re in Cabo!! Just don’t forget to tip!!!
YES! You’re going to Mexico, and even having a simple conversation with anybody will score you points with the locals, plus it makes you look less touristy. We recommend the app Duolingo to learn basic phrases. We are even trying to have some simple phrases prepped for you to help you communicate better with staff and drivers.
For the scheduled events, a dress code will be posted ahead of time. For everything else, it’s up to you! We recommend beachwear for pools/ocean: hats, swim attire, sandals, sunscreen, sunglasses. We recommend casual elegance for a night out: collared shirts and shorts for men, sun dresses for women, etc. We recommend a light jacket and a pair or two of pants in case of cooler evenings ... this is the desert!
Cabo refers to the area that encompasses the two cities of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, as well as the “Tourist Corridor” that connects the two. Both cities are rich with authentic Mexican life, but are very different from one another. San Jose is technically where the airport is located, though it’s outside of it. All guests will drive through a section of it enroute to the hotel. This city contains the arts district and is known for being a little less rowdy than its southern counterpart. Here you will find art and craft galleries, luxurious restaurants and calm walks around historic structures. Cabo San Lucas, located about 30 min south of San Jose, is the heart of nightlife. If you’re searching for a good time out at any point, this is the place for you. It’s also where the boat tours of the famous arches debark from. This is a more shocking take on Mexican life, but its also where you find the best hole-in-the-wall Mexican cuisine.
If you choose to leave the hotel and explore, that’s perfectly fine! We usually use Uber, which is safe and very reliable, just like the in states. Always check and make sure your ride is actually your ride. While in the car, for ease of mind, you can follow your route in the Uber app itself to make sure you’re in the right direction. Some Mexican roads make no sense, and you’ll find you sometimes see and pass your destination before your driver can turn around. You can also ask the hotel to call a taxi for you. But Sean and I admittedly don’t do that often due to the price and difficulty. Please Note: Drivers will likely not be able to pick you up at the hotel inside the gate, so you must walk to them. When they drop you off, simply tell the guard your room name and number to be let in. Safety Tip: To additionally ease the nerves, Uber allows you to share your trip with someone else who can watch and see where you are and your ETA.
However long you want! It may be our wedding, but it’s your vacation! We hope it goes without saying that anybody who remains after the festivities may or may not see much of the happy couple, since we have done our fair share of hosting and would covet much-needed alone time.
We are asking all family and wedding party people to arrive by 12:00pm 2 days before the ceremony. We invite all other guests to arrive the day before preceding the welcome dinner at 5:00pm. We will have 3 nights of block room rates available.
As much as we wish we could include all 700+ people on our original guest list in Cabo (Sean is, as you all know, royalty and knows everyone), the truth is that it’s just not feasible. However, the ceremony will be live-streamed for those who would like to watch it from home. There will also be a reception in Seattle after our return on a date TBD.
The hotel will likely have bottled water in your rooms for drinking, but if you’re out and about at a restaurant and they give you iced water in a glass??? *GASP* Just drink it ... they know better than to poison you. *wink*
No. Cash is good for tipping and ensuring your tip goes to the intended worker, and not the Mexican government, but that’s about it. If you’re not planning to leave the hotel much, I recommend tipping your driver $5-$10 USD for each trip to and from the airport. I wouldn’t ever carry more than $50 USD (about $1000 MXN) at a time. Make sure to have smaller bills too. Your credit cards will work just fine, provided you put your travel notification on!
In short, you’ll need to consult your provider for that. Curtis has T-Mobile and he does not have to make prior arrangements. After landing, it takes some time for the connection to be restored through a local cell, but otherwise messaging and data rates are normal. Sean has AT&T and has had the same experience. Verizon customers I believe are also ok in Mexico. All others are uncertain.
Please no ... haha! I’m sure your gift is lovely as can be, but please do not bring them with you. Imagining us carting everything back through customs makes me break out in hives!! Instead, please ship them directly to the following, monitored address: 505 106th Ave NE Suite #210 Bellevue, WA 98004